The return of the white-tailed deer as a major game species in Iowa is a tribute to good landowner attitude and progressive management, research and enforcement programs. Likewise, responsibility for the future of deer in Iowa depends upon the cooperation of hunters and landowners, preservation of critical timber habitat, legislative support and continued professional management of the resource.

Like other states in the midwest Iowa produces some outstanding white-tailed deer. Abundant food and mild winter weather make it possible for Iowa's whitetails to become large in body weight and, if allowed to grow to maturity, often possess impressive antlers.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) maintains a record book of the largest antlered deer harvested in the state with firearms and archery equipment. Those who successfully harvest a deer in Iowa with trophy-sized antlers are encouraged to enter the rack in Iowa's big game registry. Award certificates will be issued by the DNR to eligible entries that meet minimum standards (shown below).

In order to qualify for an award, the rack must be measured by an official measurer. You can search for an official measure in Iowa by searching those certified through the Boone and Crockett Club) or the Pope and Young Club.

There is no charge for measuring or submitting entries for the Iowa record book. Because of shrinkage in varying degrees, the rack must be air dried for at least 60 days following the date of kill before it can be officially measured. There is no time limit concerning how long ago the deer was killed for measurement purposes or for entry into the Iowa records.

The scoring system used for Iowa records is identical to that used by the Boone and Crockett and Pope and Young Clubs, but the minimum qualifying scores differ from these national clubs. Iowa award certificates will be presented in ten classes. The classes with minimum scores for each are as follows:

Weapon

Typical

Non-Typical

Shotgun Kill

150

170

Muzzleloader Kill

150

170

Archery Kill

135

155

Handgun Kill

150

170

Crossbow Kill

135

155

Deer taken under a kill permit for depredation purposes will not qualify for this program.

Deer hunters who want to have their trophy rack officially measured should call one of the official Iowa measurers listed above to set up an appointment to have the rack measured. If the rack meets the minimum scores listed above the measurement form should be sent to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, ATTN: Deer Records, Wallace State Office Building, 502 East 9th Street, Des Moines, IA 50319.

HUSH is a cooperative effort among Iowa deer hunters, the Food Bank of Iowa, meat processors and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

HUSH has two main goals:

Help reduce the Iowa deer population

Provide high-quality protein to needy Iowa citizens.

Thank you to all of the hunters who donated deer to the HUSH program during the 2016-2017 hunting season. More than 3,700 deer were donated, generating just over 634,000 meals to Iowa's less fortunate!

Whether you're a deer hunter, a locker owner or volunteer in your community, there is a vital role you can play. As a hunter, consider buying extra antlerless-only deer permits to help reduce the deer population. By participating in HUSH, hunters can continue to hunt after they would normally stop and thus help reduce the deer population and provide high-quality venison for the needy in Iowa. You can donate any legally taken deer of any sex from any season. For the avid deer hunter in Iowa this presents itself as the perfect opportunity to hunt longer and have a direct impact in a local community. Hunters must be properly licensed to hunt deer. All deer licenses include a $1 per deer surcharge to fund the HUSH program.

Participating lockers skin, bone and grind the meat into two-pound packages of pure venison. Local social service agencies distribute the venison to needy Iowa families in the area. The 70 lockers that participated in 2017 received $75 for each processed deer. Find a locker near you:

The Iowa DNR partners with the Food Bank of Iowa and their affiliates throughout the state to make sure the venison is distributed to qualified Iowans. The Food Bank of Iowa receives $5 administrative cost for each deer distributed.

All deer hunters must have a deer permit to harvest deer, whether or not they donate the deer to HUSH. Donated deer must be tagged before being transported, just as any other harvested deer.

Any legally-taken, wild Iowa deer from any season and any sex may be donated at any one of the lockers shown on the HUSH Locker List map.

Hunters must donate the whole deer.

Deer must be field dressed; lockers prefer a clean carcass without mud on the hide.

Lockers also prefer the carcass not be frozen.

Deer hunters must fill out a Hunter HUSH Card at the locker for each deer being donated.